Package Insert: Information for the User
Donabel 2 mg/0.03 mg Film-Coated Tablets EFG
dienogest/etinilestradiol
Important Information You Should Know About Combined Hormonal Contraceptives (CHCs)
Read this package insert carefully before starting to take this medication, as it contains important information for you.
Donabel is a medication
It contains a small amount of female hormones, specifically progesterone (dienogest) and an estrogen (etinilestradiol).
Birth control pills that contain two hormones are called combined pills or combined oral contraceptives.
Oral contraceptives (administered orally) are a very effective method of family planning. If taken regularly (without missing pills), the likelihood of becoming pregnant is very low.
Before starting to take Donabel, read the information about blood clots in section 2. It is particularly important that you read the symptoms of a blood clot (see section 2 “Blood Clots”)..
Before you can start taking Donabel, your doctor will ask you some questions about your personal medical history and that of your close relatives. Your doctor will also measure your blood pressure and, depending on your personal situation, may perform some other tests.
In this prospectus, several situations are described in which you should stop taking this medication, or in which the effectiveness of this is reduced. In such situations, you should not have sexual intercourse without taking additional non-hormonal contraceptive precautions, such as using a condom or other barrier method. Do not use the rhythm or temperature methods. These methods are unreliable because the contraceptive pills alter the usual changes in body temperature and cervical mucus that occur during the menstrual cycle.
Donabel, like other combined oral contraceptives, does not protect against HIV (AIDS) or any other sexually transmitted disease.
Your acne will usually improve within three to six months of treatment and may continue to improve even after six months. You should discuss with your doctor the need to continue treatment three to six months after starting and periodically thereafter.
Do not take Donabel
You should not take Donabel if you have any of the conditions listed below. Inform your doctor if you have any of the conditions listed below. Your doctor will discuss with you what other form of contraception would be more suitable.
Do not take Donabel
If you have any of the above situations, inform your doctor before starting to take Donabel. Your doctor may recommend another type of oral contraceptive or another non-hormonal contraceptive method. See also the section “General Considerations”.
Additional Information on Special Populations
Children and Adolescents
Donabel is not indicated for use in girls who have not yet had their first menstrual period.
Older Women
Donabel is not indicated for use after menopause.
Liver Disease
Do not take Donabel if you have liver disease. See also “Do not take Donabel” and “Warnings and Precautions”.
Renal Insufficiency
Consult your doctor. Available data do not indicate that it is necessary to change the use of Donabel.
Warnings and Precautions
When should you consult your doctor?
Seek immediate medical attention
For a description of the symptoms of these serious adverse effects, see “How to Recognize a Blood Clot”.
If the combined pill is used by a woman who is also experiencing any of the conditions listed below, it may be necessary to monitor her more closely.
Inform your doctor if you suffer from any of the following conditions
If the condition develops or worsens while taking Donabel, you should also inform your doctor.
If any of the above conditions worsen or first appear, inform your doctor as soon as possible.
BLOOD CLOTS
The use of a combined hormonal contraceptive like Donabel increases your risk of suffering a blood clot compared to not using it. In rare cases, a blood clot can block blood vessels and cause serious problems.
Blood clots can form:
The recovery of blood clots is not always complete. In rare cases, there may be long-lasting or potentially life-threatening effects, or very rarely, they may be fatal.
It is essential to remember that the overall risk of a serious blood clot due to Donabel is small.
HOW TO RECOGNIZE A BLOOD CLOT
Seek immediate medical attentionif you notice any of the following signs or symptoms.
Do you experience any of these signs? | What could you be suffering from? |
| Deep vein thrombosis |
If you are unsure, consult a doctor, as some of these symptoms, such as coughing or shortness of breath, can be confused with a milder condition like a common cold. | Pulmonary embolism |
Symptoms that occur more frequently in one eye:
| Retinal vein thrombosis (blood clot in the eye) |
| Heart attack |
Sometimes the symptoms of a stroke may be brief, with almost immediate and complete recovery, but you should still seek immediate medical attention as you may be at risk of another stroke. | Stroke |
| Blood clots that block other blood vessels. |
BLOOD CLOTS IN A VEIN
What can happen if a blood clot forms in a vein?
When is the risk of a blood clot in a vein higher?
The risk of a blood clot in a vein is higher during the first year in which you take a combined hormonal contraceptive for the first time. The risk may be higher if you restart taking a combined hormonal contraceptive (the same medication or a different one) after a break of 4 weeks or more.
After the first year, the risk decreases, but it is always slightly higher than if you were not taking a combined hormonal contraceptive.
When you stop taking Donabel, your risk of a blood clot returns to normal in a few weeks.
What is the risk of a blood clot?
The risk depends on your natural risk of VTE and the type of combined hormonal contraceptive you are taking.
The overall risk of a blood clot in the leg or lung (DVT or PE) with Donabel is small.
The risk of a blood clot will depend on your personal history (see “Factors that increase your risk of a blood clot” below).
Risk of developing a blood clot in a year | |
Women whodo not usea combined oral contraceptive and are not pregnant | Approximately 2 in every 10,000 women |
Women who use a combined oral contraceptive containinglevonorgestrel, noretisterone or norgestimato | Approximately 5-7 in every 10,000 women |
Women who use Donabel | Approximately 8-11 in every 10,000 women |
Factors that increase your risk of a blood clot in a vein
Your risk of a blood clot is small, but some conditions increase it. Your risk is higher:
Your risk of a blood clot increases the more conditions you have.
Long flights (> 4 hours) may temporarily increase your risk of a blood clot, especially if you have any of the other risk factors listed.
It is essential to inform your doctor if you have any of the above conditions, even if you are unsure. Your doctor may decide that you should stop taking Donabel.
If any of the above conditions change while you are using Donabel, for example, a close relative experiences a blood clot without a known cause or you gain a lot of weight, inform your doctor.
BLOOD CLOTS IN AN ARTERY
What can happen if a blood clot forms in an artery?
Like a blood clot in a vein, a blood clot in an artery can cause serious problems. For example, it can cause a heart attack or a stroke.
Factors that increase your risk of a blood clot in an artery
It is essential to note that the risk of a heart attack or stroke due to Donabel is very small, but it may increase:
If you have one or more of these conditions or if any of them are particularly severe, your risk of a blood clot may be increased even further.
If any of the above conditions change while you are using Donabel, for example, you start smoking, a close relative experiences a blood clot without a known cause, or you gain a lot of weight, inform your doctor.
Birth Control Pills and Cancer
Breast cancer has been observed at a slightly higher frequency in women taking oral contraceptives, but it is not known whether this is caused by the treatment. For example, it may be due to the fact that women taking oral contraceptives are examined more frequently by their doctor. The appearance of breast tumors gradually decreases after stopping oral contraceptives. It is essential that you regularly examine your breasts and contact your doctor if you notice any lump.
In rare cases, benign liver tumors and, less frequently, malignant liver tumors have been reported in users of hormonal contraceptives. These tumors can cause potentially life-threatening internal bleeding. Consult your doctor immediately if you experience severe abdominal pain.
The most important risk factor for cervical cancer is persistent infection with the human papillomavirus (HPV).
Some studies suggest that long-term use of hormonal contraceptives is a risk factor for developing cervical cancer in women. However, it is not clear to what extent this risk is increased by sexual behavior or other factors such as HPV.
The tumors mentioned above can cause potentially life-threatening or fatal conditions.
Mental Health Disorders
Some women who use hormonal contraceptives like Donabel have reported depression or a depressed mood. Depression can be severe and sometimes may induce suicidal thoughts. If you experience mood changes and depressive symptoms, contact your doctor for additional medical advice as soon as possible.
Spotting
During the first few months of taking Donabel, you may experience unexpected bleeding or spotting between regular periods. You may also need sanitary products and take the pills as usual. Irregular bleeding usually disappears as your body adjusts to the pill (usually after 3 months of use).
Contact your doctor if this bleeding persists for more than a few months or if it starts after a few months.
What to do if no bleeding occurs during the break
If you have taken the pills correctly, have not had severe vomiting or diarrhea, and have not taken any other medication, it is very unlikely that you are pregnant. Continue taking Donabel as usual.
If you did not take the pills correctly before the first menstrual period or if you do not have a menstrual period for two consecutive times, you may be pregnant. Contact your doctor immediately. Start the next pack only if you are sure you are not pregnant. Meanwhile, use non-hormonal contraceptives (see also “General Considerations”).
Other Medications and Donabel
Always inform your doctor of the medications or herbal supplements you are using. Also inform any other doctor or dentist who prescribes other medications (or the pharmacist) that you are taking Donabel. They may tell you if you need to take additional contraceptive precautions (for example, condoms) and for how long, or if you need to change the use of another medication you need.
Some medications:
These include medications used to treat:
Donabel may also interfere with the action of other medications, for example:
Do not take Donabel if you have hepatitis C and are taking medications that contain ombitasvir/paritaprevir/ritonavir and dasabuvir, glecaprevir/pibrentasvir or sofosbuvir/velpatasvir/voxilaprevir, as these medications can cause increases in liver function parameters in the blood (elevated liver enzyme ALT).
Your doctor will prescribe another type of contraceptive before starting treatment with these medications.
Donabel can be restarted approximately 2 weeks after the end of this treatment. See the section “Do not take Donabel”.
Consult your doctor or pharmacist before taking any medication. Inform your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking, have taken recently, or may need to take any other medication. They may advise you on additional protective measures while taking another medication with Donabel.
Laboratory Tests
If you need a blood test, inform your doctor or the laboratory staff that you are taking the pill, as hormonal contraceptives can affect the results of some tests.
Pregnancy, Lactation, and Fertility
If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, or if you plan to become pregnant, consult your doctor or pharmacist before taking this medication.
Pregnancy
If you are pregnant or suspect that you may be pregnant, do not take Donabel. If you become pregnant while taking Donabel, stop taking it immediately and contact your doctor. If you want to become pregnant, you can stop taking Donabel at any time (see “Stopping Treatment with Donabel”).
Lactation
Generally, the use of Donabel is not recommended during breastfeeding. You should consult your doctor if you want to take the pill while breastfeeding.
Driving and Operating Machinery
Donabel does not affect driving and operating machinery.
Donabel contains soy lecithin
This medication contains soy lecithin (soy oil). Do not use this medication if you are allergic to peanuts or soy.
Donabel contains glucose and lactose
If your doctor has told you that you have an intolerance to certain sugars, consult with them before taking this medication.
Donabel contains sodium
This medication contains less than 1 mmol of sodium (23 mg) per tablet; it is essentially “sodium-free”.
You should take the tablets every day at the same time, if necessary with some liquid. You should take one tablet daily for 21 consecutive days. The intake of tablets from the next package begins after an interval of 7 days without tablets, during which a bleeding usually occurs, which usually starts 2-3 days after taking the last tablet and may not have ended before starting the next package.
Start taking your next package of Donabel on the 8th day after taking the last tablet. You should start taking the next package of Donabel even if bleeding continues. Each new package will start on the same day of the week as the previous one, making it easier to remember when to start again, and your cycle will always be on the same days of the month.
If you follow the instructions, the contraceptive will protect you from an unwanted pregnancy from the first day of treatment.
First package of Donabel intake
If no hormonal contraceptive has been applied in the last month
Start taking a tablet on the first day of the menstrual cycle (the first day of menstruation). It can also be taken from the 2nd to the 5th day of menstruation, but in this case, you should use an additional barrier contraceptive method during the first seven days of tablet intake.
Switching to Donabel from another combined contraceptive (combined oral contraceptive (COC), vaginal ring, transdermal combined patch)
You can start taking Donabel the day after taking the last tablet of your previous contraceptive (which means there will be no interval without tablets). If your previous package also contained inactive tablets (placebo tablets), you can start taking Donabel the day after taking the last active tablet (if you are unsure whether the tablets are active, consult your doctor or pharmacist). You can start taking it later, but no later than the day after completing the break of your previous contraceptive (or after taking the last placebo tablet of your previous contraceptive). In the case of a patch or vaginal ring, you should start taking Donabel preferably on the day you remove it and no later than the day you reapply it.
If you follow these instructions, you will not need to use any other contraceptive method.
Switching from a progestin-only contraceptive (pill, injection, implant) or a progestin-only intrauterine system (IUS)
You can stop taking the progestin-only tablets at any time and start taking Donabel the day after the usual time. However, if you have sex, use an additional barrier contraceptive method (barrier method) during the first 7 days of use.
In the case of an injection, an implant, or an IUS, start taking Donabel on the day you would normally receive the next injection or the day the implant or IUS is removed. However, if you have sex, use an additional barrier contraceptive method (barrier method) during the first 7 days of tablet intake.
After giving birth
If you have just given birth, your doctor may advise you to start taking Donabel after your first period. However, in some cases, you can start taking the hormonal contraceptive before, please consult your doctor. Do not breastfeed if you take Donabel, unless your doctor has ordered you to.
If you are breastfeeding and want to start taking Donabel, talk to your doctor.
After an abortion or spontaneous abortion
Talk to your doctor about the possibility of taking Donabel.
If you take more Donabel than you should
No data are available on Donabel overdose. Overdose may cause nausea, vomiting, and, in young women, vaginal bleeding. This vaginal bleeding may occur even in girls who have not yet had their first menstrual period if they accidentally take this medication. If you have taken more Donabel than you should, contact your doctor.
If you observe that a child has probably taken several tablets, contact your doctor immediately.
In case of overdose or accidental ingestion, consult your doctor or pharmacist or call the Toxicology Information Service, phone 91 562 04 20, indicating the medication and the amount ingested.
If you forget to take Donabel
The risk of becoming pregnant is especially high if you miss a tablet at the beginning or end of the package. Therefore, you should follow the following rules:
Contact your doctor.
Do not take more than 2 tablets in a day to replace a missed tablet.
If you have forgotten to take several tablets and there is no withdrawal bleeding in the first break, you should consider the possibility of pregnancy. In this case, you should talk to your doctor before starting the next package.
Follow these instructions if you have forgotten to take a tablet:
If you have forgotten a tablet in week 1
If you forget to start taking a new package or if you forget to take a tablet during the first 7 days, there is a risk of pregnancy (if you have had sex in the 7 days before forgetting a tablet). Contact your doctor before starting a new package.
If you have not had sex before omitting the tablet, take the missed tablet as soon as you remember (even if this means taking two tablets at the same time) and take the next tablet at the usual time. Take additional barrier contraceptive methods (condom) during the next 7 days.
If you have forgotten a tablet in week 2
Take the missed tablet as soon as you remember (even if this means taking two tablets at the same time) and take the next tablet at the usual time. The contraceptive's reliability is maintained, and you do not need to use additional contraceptive methods.
If you have forgotten a tablet in week 3
If you follow one of the two procedures explained below, you do not need to use additional contraceptive methods:
or
If you vomit or have intense diarrhea
If vomiting or intense diarrhea occurs within 3-4 hours after taking the tablet, it is possible that the tablet will not be absorbed correctly in the gastrointestinal tract. The situation is similar to that which occurs if you forget to take a tablet. In this case, you should take a tablet as soon as possible, if possible before 12 hours. If more than 12 hours have passed, you should follow the instructions in the section "If you forget to take Donabel."
If you want to delay your period
You can delay the onset of menstruation if, after completing the previous package, you continue taking Donabel without a break. Menstrual bleeding may be delayed until the end of the second package, or if necessary, for a shorter period. During the intake of the second package, you may experience some spotting or bleeding while taking the tablets. Regular intake of Donabel resumes after the usual 7-day break.
If you want to change the first day of your period
If you follow the instructions for taking the tablets, your period will start approximately on the same day every four weeks. If you need to change this day, you can shorten (but never lengthen) the next break by as many days as you want. For example, if your period usually starts on Friday, and you want it to start on Tuesday (i.e., three days earlier), you should start the next package three days earlier than usual. However, if the break is too short (3 days or less), there will be no withdrawal bleeding, but you may experience spotting or intermenstrual bleeding during the days you are taking the tablets.
What to do if you have bleeding between periods
In some cases, women taking combined oral contraceptives may experience a small, intermittent bleeding or spotting, especially during the first few months. When your body adapts to the effects of the tablets, irregular bleeding will disappear; usually, this happens in the third cycle. If bleeding continues, is more intense, or recurs, talk to your doctor.
What to do if there is no withdrawal bleeding
If the tablets have been taken correctly, according to the instructions, and there have been no vomiting or diarrhea, it is very unlikely that you will become pregnant. You should continue taking Donabel as usual. If you do not have your period twice in a row, you may be pregnant. Contact your doctor immediately. You can continue taking Donabel after the pregnancy test has been performed and your doctor confirms that you can do so.
If you interrupt treatment with Donabel
You can stop taking Donabel at any time you want. If you do not want to become pregnant, ask your doctor about other reliable contraceptive methods.
If you have any other questions about the use of this medication, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
Like all medicines, this medicine can cause side effects, although not everyone will experience them. If you experience any side effect, especially if it is severe and persistent, or if you have any health changes that you think may be related to Donabel, consult your doctor.
All women taking combined hormonal contraceptives are at a higher risk of developing blood clots in the veins (venous thromboembolism (VTE)) or blood clots in the arteries (arterial thromboembolism (ATE)). For more detailed information on the different risks of taking combined hormonal contraceptives, see section 2 “What you need to know before starting to take Donabel”.
Severe side effects
For severe side effects in women taking combined oral contraceptives, see the section “Warnings and precautions”. If necessary, seek immediate medical help.
Immediately contact your doctor if you experience any of the following symptoms of angioedema: swelling of the face, tongue, and/or throat and/or difficulty swallowing or potentially difficulty breathing (also see the section “Warnings and precautions”).
The following is a list of side effects that have been associated with the use of Donabel:
Frequent side effects(may affect up to 1 in 10 people):
Less frequent side effects(may affect up to 1 in 100 people):
Rare side effects(may affect up to 1 in 1,000 people):
The adverse reactions that have been reported with the use of oral contraceptives and for which the exact frequency is not known are: mood changes, increased or decreased libido, intolerance to contact lenses, urticaria, skin disorders such as erythema nodosum or multiforme, breast secretion, fluid retention.
The risk of having a blood clot may be higher if you have any other condition that increases this risk (see section 2 for more information on conditions that increase the risk of blood clots and symptoms of a blood clot).
Selected adverse reaction descriptions
The adverse reactions with very low incidence or late onset of symptoms related to the group of combined oral contraceptives are listed below (also see “Do not take Donabel” and “What you need to know before starting to take Donabel”).
Cancer
Other conditions
Interactions
Unexpected bleeding and/or failure of the contraceptive may be due to interactions of other medications with oral contraceptives (e.g., St. John's Wort, medications for epilepsy, tuberculosis, HIV infection, and other infections). See also “Other medications and Donabel”.
Reporting adverse reactions
If you experience any type of adverse reaction, consult your doctor, pharmacist, or nurse, even if it is a possible adverse reaction that does not appear in this leaflet. You can also report them directly through the Spanish System for the Vigilance of Medicinal Products for Human Use:https://www.notificaram.es. By reporting adverse reactions, you can contribute to providing more information on the safety of this medication.
More information on oral contraceptives
Combined oral contraceptives may also produce health benefits unrelated to contraception.
Menstrual bleeding may be lighter and shorter. This may reduce the risk of anemia. Menstrual pain may be less or disappear completely.
Additionally, it has been reported that users of pills containing 50 micrograms of ethinylestradiol (high-dose pill) have a lower incidence of certain serious diseases. Among them are benign breast diseases, ovarian cysts, pelvic infections (inflammatory diseases of the small organs of the pelvis), ectopic pregnancy (the fetus develops outside the uterus), and endometrial and ovarian cancer. This may also apply to the use of a low-dose pill, but it has only been confirmed for endometrial and ovarian cancer.
Keep this medication out of the sight and reach of children.
Do not use this medication after the expiration date that appears on the packaging and on the blister pack after CAD. The expiration date is the last day of the month indicated
This medication does not require special storage conditions.
Medications should not be disposed of through drains or in the trash. Dispose of packaging and medications you no longer need at the SIGRE collection point at the pharmacy. If in doubt, ask your pharmacist how to dispose of unused packaging and medications. By doing so, you will help protect the environment.
Composition of Donabel
Tablet core: lactose monohydrate, magnesium stearate, cornstarch, povidone 30, talc.
Coating: Opaglos 2 clear, which contains: sodium carmellose, glucose, maltodextrin, sodium citrate dihydrate, soy lecithin.
Appearance of the product and contents of the packaging
Donabel is a white, round, biconvex film-coated tablet.
Donabel is available in packaging containing 21, 3 x 21, 6 x 21, and 13 x 21 film-coated tablets.
Only some packaging sizes may be marketed.
Marketing Authorization Holder
Effik Laboratories, S.A.
C/ San Rafael, 3
28108 Alcobendas, Madrid
Spain
Responsible for manufacturing
León Farma Laboratories, S.A.
C/ La Vallina s/n, Industrial Estate Navatejera
24193 Villaquilambre, León
Spain
This medicine is authorized in the member states of the European Economic Area with the following names:
CZ: Calleto
ES: Donabel 2 mg/0.03 mg film-coated tablets EFG
PT: Denille 2 mg + 0.03 mg film-coated tablet
EE: Ammily 2 mg/0.03 mg
LT: Ammily 2 mg/0.03 mg coated tablets
LV: Ammily 2 mg/0.03 mg coated tablets
IT: Effiprev 2 mg/0.03 mg
FR: Dienopil 2 mg/0.03 mg
LU: Louise 2 mg/0.03 mg
BE: Louise 2 mg/0.03 mg
Last review date of this leaflet:January 2023
The detailed and updated information on this medicine is available on the website of the Spanish Agency for Medicines and Medical Devices (AEMPS)http://www.aemps.gob.es/
Have questions about this medication or your symptoms? Connect with a licensed doctor for guidance and personalized care.